E‐tracers: Development of a low cost wireless technique for exploring sub‐surface hydrological systems

This briefing describes the first deployment of a new electronic tracer (E‐tracer) for obtaining along‐flowpath measurements in subsurface hydrological systems. These low‐cost, wireless sensor platforms were deployed into moulins on the Greenland Ice Sheet. After descending into the moulin, the tracers travelled through the subglacial drainage system before emerging at the glacier portal. They are capable of collecting along‐flowpath data from the point of injection until detection. The E‐tracers emit a radio frequency signal, which enables sensor identification, location and recovery from the proglacial plain. The second generation of prototype E‐tracers recorded water pressure, but the robust sensor design provides a versatile platform for measuring a range of parameters, including temperature and electrical conductivity, in hydrological environments that are challenging to monitor using tethered sensors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization of structural control via a smart NEURO‐FBG control system

This study improves a NEURO‐FBG active control system to mature the concept of a smart structure. Originally, a system similar to the human brain is created from FBG sensors and neural networks. The system comprises three parts, namely, a structural condition surveillance system, a NEURO‐FBG converter, and a NEURO‐FBG controller. To solve the inherent time‐consuming and reliability problem of the NEURO‐FBG converter, a new technology is first proposed, and the relationship between inter‐story drift and strain data is established. Global indices such as displacement and velocity of the structure are then reconstructed for searching the optimal control force of the actuator. Meanwhile, the soundness of a building with hydraulic actuators is also an important issue to be solved. To make the building sound, the characteristics of earthquakes are considered for enhancing the performance of the NEURO‐FBG controller. Theoretical analysis shows satisfactory improvement to the control efficiency of both displacement and acceleration. To verify the enhanced system, a series of shaking table tests was conducted. Experimental results demonstrated that the new NEURO‐FBG system can effectively manage the structure; and the controller, taking into consideration the ground acceleration effect, is more reliable and robust for practical application than a conventional controller. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Renovated controller designed by genetic algorithms

A novel smart control system based on genetic algorithms (GAs) is proposed in this paper. The system is comprised of three parts: the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor‐based sensing network for structural health monitoring, the GA‐based location optimizer for sensor arrangement, and the GA‐based controller for vibration mitigation under external excitation. To evaluate the performance of the proposed system, an eight‐story steel structure was designed specifically to represent a structure with large degrees of freedom. In total 16 FBG sensors were deployed on the structure to implement the concept of a reliable sensing network, and to allow the structure to be monitored precisely under any loading. The advantage of applying a large amount of information from the sensing system is proven theoretically by the GA‐based location optimizer. This result greatly supports the recent tendency of distributing sensors around the structure. Two intuitive GA‐based controllers are then proposed and demonstrated numerically. It is shown that the structure can be controlled more effectively by the proposed GA‐strain controller than by the GA‐acceleration controller, which represents the traditional control method. A shaking table test was carried out to examine the entire system. Experimental verification has demonstrated the feasibility of using this system in practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

自标定法在低频振动传感器参数校准中的应用

介绍了自标定法在低频振动传感器参数校准中的应用,阐述了该方法用于校准的理论依据及适用范围,并将自标定法获得的校准数据和用振动标准装置获得的校准数据进行了比较,通过实测数据证实了自标定法的标定结果在一定的频率范围内是可信的.由于自标定法不需要复杂的标定设备,简单方便,因此具有较好的实用价值.最后,分析了自标定法的误差来源...     

三分量数字检波器在ZY油田应用效果分析

在水平分量的炮集记录中,数字三分量检波器直达波的椭圆率明显呈现出线性偏振的形态,并具有较高的分辨率,而模拟三分量检波器直达波的线性偏振不清晰,抗干扰能力差.在频谱分析和能量曲线分析的对比中,数字检波器的性能也高于模拟检波器.在PP波弱波阻抗界面的沙河组沙三12段,PS波表现出强反射界面,而且构造幅度比PP波剖面明显.在PS波剖面上,剖面深处两边的构造联系清晰可见,而在PP波剖面上很难解释剖面两边构造之间的关系,表明PS波资料对深层界面的成像能力有时不比PP波能力差,多分量资料在构造勘探上具有互补性.在沙四层底钻遇气层的马62井和马11井的测线CDP位置上,PP波和PS波的振幅比剖面上表现出低振幅比异常区,与钻井结果吻合.用多分量衰减系数或衰减比剖面,能够识别砂岩含气/水产生所产生的高频衰减异常.多分量地震属性及其比值剖面是储层含气异常指示的有效参数.     

Characterizing ephemeral streams in a southern Ontario watershed using electrical resistance sensors

Ephemeral streams are small headwater streams that only experience streamflow in response to a precipitation event. Due to their highly complex and dynamic spatial and temporal nature, ephemeral streams have been difficult to monitor and are in general poorly understood. This research implemented an extensive network of electrical resistance sensors to monitor three ephemeral streams within the same small headwater catchment in Southern Ontario, Canada. The results suggest that the most common patterns of network expansion and contraction in the studied streams are incomplete coalescence and disintegration, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis of the primary controls on ephemeral streamflow showed only weak Nagelkerke R² values, suggesting that there are more complex processes at work in these ephemeral streams. A comparison of all three streams suggests that even ephemeral streams within the same subwatershed may experience differences in network expansion and contraction and may be dominated by different spatial and temporal controls. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimal location of sensors for reconstruction of seismic responses through spline function interpolation

In this paper, a criterion is proposed for the choice of the optimal location of a limited number of recording sensors for reconstruction of seismic responses of multistorey frames. Reconstruction of unknown responses is performed by modelling through a spline shape function the evolution of the relative acceleration along the height of the building. The coefficients of the spline function are determined by interpolating available responses in terms of absolute accelerations taking into account boundary conditions. The optimal location for a given number of recording sensors is defined as the one corresponding to the minimum value of the global error evaluated on the whole set of reconstructed responses. The criterion has been verified by using simulated responses of numerical models of multistorey frames and responses recorded on real buildings during the Northridge earthquake. A physical characterization of the location of available sensors leading to the minimum global error between calculated and real responses is proposed in terms of effective modal participation factors relevant to the principal modes of the structure. This characterization allows for frames of known modal characteristics the definition of a criterion for the choice of the location of a limited number of sensors for monitoring or vibration control purposes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Continuous-time monitoring of liquid water content in snowpacks using capacitance probes: A preliminary feasibility study

Liquid water in snowpacks rules wet snow avalanche formation, surface albedo and snowmelt runoff timing. By now, volumetric liquid water content (LWC) measurements are collected mainly with destructive methods, while continuous-time and non-invasive measurements would be preferable to track its time dynamics. Here, we assess the feasibility of continuous-time monitoring of LWC using EnviroSMART® capacitance sensors. These were conceived to track liquid water dynamics in soils, and their use in snow is evaluated here for the first time, as far as we know. A field case study was settled up in April 2013 within an Italian Alpine valley. An instrumental set up with eight capacitance sensors was installed. Two time-domain reflectrometers were added to the aim of comparison. To assist in interpreting the signal of the capacitance sensors, two laboratory tests were run, and a FEM model was implemented. This preliminary study demonstrates that capacitance sensors are sensitive to increasing LWC, although their long-term installation in snow entails the development of an air gap around them, due to localized melting, air turbulence and solar radiation absorption, which hinders following LWC variations. As a result, capacitance sensors readings are challenging to be interpreted quantitatively. Perspectives on future investigation are discussed to bring the proposed procedure towards long-term applications in snowpacks.     

一种地震预警监测传感器模块的设计及实现

目前世界上地震预警系统基本都是通过地震台网来确定地震的震级并对地震进行定位,其预警准确性的提高主要依靠台网密度的增加。基于地震预警原理以及传感器技术,本文首次探讨了仅用单台地震监测传感器快速测定地震基本参数的可能性。设计了一种用于地震预警的地震监测传感器模块,阐述了确定地震参数的算法。该传感器模块能自动捡拾P波的到时,然后利用P波的初动信息确定地震的方位角,最后利用P波到达后前3s加速度数据确定地震的震级、震源距,并发出警告,达到地震监测及预警的目的。     

Characterization of permeability and porosity from nanosensor observations

In this paper, we investigate the information content in “nanosensors” with limited functionality that might be injected into a reservoir or an aquifer to provide information on the spatial distribution of properties. The two types of sensors that we consider are sensors that can potentially measure pressure at various times during transport, and sensors can be located in space by perturbations in electrical, magnetic, or acoustic properties. The intent of the study is to determine the resolution of estimates of properties that can be obtained from various combinations of sensors, various frequencies of observations, and various specifications on sensor precision.Our goal is to investigate the resolution of model estimates for various types of measurements. For this, we compute linearized estimates of the sensitivity of the observations to the porosity and permeability assuming gaussian errors in the pressure and location observations. Because the flow is one-dimensional and incompressible, observations of location are sensitive to the porosity between the injection location and the sensor location, while the location of particles is sensitive to the effective permeability over the entire interval from injector to producer. When only the pressure is measured but the location of the sensor is unknown, as might be the situation for a threshold sensor, the pressure is sensitive to both permeability and porosity only in the region between the injector and sensor.In addition to the linearized sensitivity and resolution analyses, Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling is used to estimate the posterior pdf for model variables for realistic (non-Gaussian) likelihood models. For a Markov chain of length one million samples approximately 200-500 independent samples are generated for uncertainty and resolution assessment. Results from the MCMC analysis are not in conflict with the linearized analysis.     

Development of a remotely controlled debris flow monitoring system in the Dolomites (Acquabona,Italy)

Direct measurements of the hydrological conditions for the occurrence of debris flows and of flow behaviour are of the outmost importance for developing effective flow prevention techniques. An automated and remotely controlled monitoring system was installed in Acquabona Creek in the Dolomites, Italian Eastern Alps, where debris flows occur every year. Its present configuration consists of three on‐site stations, located in the debris‐flow initiation area, in the lower channel and in the retention basin. The monitoring system is equipped with sensors for measuring rainfall, pore‐water pressure in the mobile channel bottom, ground vibrations, debris flow depth, total normal stress and fluid pore‐pressure at the base of the flow. Three video cameras take motion pictures of the events at the initiation zone, in the lower channel and in the deposition area. Data from the on‐site stations are radio‐transmitted to an off‐site station and stored in a host PC, from where they are telemetrically downloaded and used by the Padova University for the study of debris flows. The efficiency of the sensors and of the whole monitoring system has been verified by the analysis of data collected so far. Examples of these data are presented and briefly discussed. If implemented at the numerous debris‐flow sites in the Dolomitic Region, the technology used, derived from the development of this system, will provide civil defence and warn residents of impending debris flows. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Burying receivers for improved time‐lapse seismic repeatability: CO2CRC Otway field experiment

4D seismic is widely used to remotely monitor fluid movement in subsurface reservoirs. This technique is especially effective offshore where high survey repeatability can be achieved. It comes as no surprise that the first 4D seismic that successfully monitored the CO₂ sequestration process was recorded offshore in the Sleipner field, North Sea. In the case of land projects, poor repeatability of the land seismic data due to low S/N ratio often obscures the time‐lapse seismic signal. Hence for a successful on shore monitoring program improving seismic repeatability is essential. Stage 2 of the CO2CRC Otway project involves an injection of a small amount (around 15,000 tonnes) of CO₂/CH₄ gas mixture into a saline aquifer at a depth of approximately 1.5 km. Previous studies at this site showed that seismic repeatability is relatively low due to variations in weather conditions, near surface geology and farming activities. In order to improve time‐lapse seismic monitoring capabilities, a permanent receiver array can be utilised to improve signal to noise ratio and hence repeatability. A small‐scale trial of such an array was conducted at the Otway site in June 2012. A set of 25 geophones was installed in 3 m deep boreholes in parallel to the same number of surface geophones. In addition, four geophones were placed into boreholes of 1–12 m depth. In order to assess the gain in the signal‐to‐noise ratio and repeatability, both active and passive seismic surveys were carried out. The surveys were conducted in relatively poor weather conditions, with rain, strong wind and thunderstorms. With such an amplified background noise level, we found that the noise level for buried geophones is on average 20 dB lower compared to the surface geophones. The levels of repeatability for borehole geophones estimated around direct wave, reflected wave and ground roll are twice as high as for the surface geophones. Both borehole and surface geophones produce the best repeatability in the 30–90 Hz frequency range. The influence of burying depth on S/N ratio and repeatability shows that significant improvement in repeatability can be reached at a depth of 3 m. The level of repeatability remains relatively constant between 3 and 12 m depths.     

Review of the development of laser fluorosensors for oil spill application

As laser fluorosensors provide their own source of excitation, they are known as active sensors. Being active sensors, laser fluorosensors can be employed around the clock, in daylight or in total darkness. Certain compounds, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, present in petroleum oils absorb ultraviolet laser light and become electronically excited. This excitation is quickly removed by the process of fluorescence emission, primarily in the visible region of the spectrum. By careful choice of the excitation laser wavelength and range-gated detection at selected emission wavelengths, petroleum oils can be detected and classified into three broad categories: light refined, crude or heavy refined.

This paper will review the development of laser fluorosensors for oil spill application, with emphasis on system components such as excitation laser source, and detection schemes that allow these unique sensors to be employed for the detection and classification of petroleum oils. There have been a number of laser fluorosensors developed in recent years, many of which are strictly research and development tools. Certain of these fluorosensors have been ship-borne instruments that have been mounted in aircraft for the occasional airborne mission. Other systems are mounted permanently on aircraft for use in either surveillance or spill response roles.     

On the use of IMU (inertial measurement unit) sensors in geomorphology

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are mobile sensors assemblies constructed using a combination of MEMS (micro electrical mechanical systems) accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers. Both the technology and its applications to geomorphic problems are developing rapidly, since they demonstrate the prospect of monitoring individual sediment grains, of various sizes, during transport and at high frequency. This prospect has numerous implications which range from hazard identification and warning to complex theoretical derivations for sediment transport modelling. At the same time, the deployment of IMUs needs to be underpinned by a number of technical considerations regarding the limitations of the technology and the physics of the inertial measurements. IMU measurements should be reported in a manner that allows for clear understanding of the scope of the study, with sufficient detail for repeatability and clear error characterization. At a secondary level, IMU measurements should be linked clearly with the physics of sediment motion. Here the author highlights five technical issues which can lead to the misinterpretation of IMU measurements. His scope is to begin a dialogue towards a collective agreement on a presentation/reporting protocol for IMU measurements in geomorphic studies that will allow for the coherent contextualization of the technology and accelerate its scientific impact within geosciences.     

Continuous field estimation of dissolved organic carbon concentration and biochemical oxygen demand using dual‐wavelength fluorescence,turbidity and temperature

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) quality and quantity is not measured routinely in‐situ limiting our ability to quantify DOM process dynamics. This is problematic given legislative obligations to determine event based variability; however, recent advances in field deployable optical sensing technology provide the opportunity to address this problem. In this paper, we outline a new approach for in‐situ quantification of DOM quantity (Dissolved Organic Carbon: DOC) and a component of quality (Biochemical Oxygen Demand: BOD) using a multi‐wavelength, through‐flow fluorescence sensor. The sensor measured tryptophan‐like (Peak T) and humic‐like (Peak C) fluorescence, alongside water temperature and turbidity. Laboratory derived coefficients were developed to compensate for thermal quenching and turbidity interference (i.e., light attenuation and scattering). Field tests were undertaken on an urban river with ageing wastewater and stormwater infrastructure (Bourn Brook; Birmingham, UK). Sensor output was validated against laboratory determinations of DOC and BOD collected by discrete grab sampling during baseflow and stormflow conditions. Data driven regression models were then compared to laboratory correction methods. A combination of temperature and turbidity compensated Peak T and Peak C was found to be a good predictor of DOC concentration (R² = 0.92). Conversely, using temperature and turbidity correction coefficients provided low predictive power for BOD (R² = 0.46 and R² = 0.51, for Peak C and T, respectively). For this study system, turbidity appeared to be a reasonable proxy for BOD, R² = 0.86. However, a linear mixed effect model with temperature compensated Peak T and turbidity provided a robust BOD prediction (R² = 0.95). These findings indicate that with careful initial calibration, multi‐wavelength fluorescence, coupled with turbidity, and temperature provides a feasible proxy for continuous, in‐situ measurement of DOC concentration and BOD. This approach represents a cost effective monitoring solution, particularly when compared to UV – absorbance sensors and DOC analysers, and could be readily adopted for research and industrial applications.     

Langmuir–Blodgett Film of Asymmetric Calix[4]arene Derivative Modified Electrode for Voltammetric Determination of Silver

A new electrochemical voltammetric sensor, Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film of 25,27‐dimethoxy‐26‐(N‐trichloroacetyl)carbamoyloxy‐p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene (DCA) modified GCE (LB_DCA–GCE), was designed and successfully used for recognition and determination of trace amounts of Ag⁺ in water. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the lowest detectable concentration of Ag⁺ reached 1 × 10^?9 mol L^?1. Moreover, LB_DCA–GCE exhibited a well‐defined response relating to the Ag⁺ with good sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and long stability. The recognizing mechanism of LB_DCA–GCE for silver ion in aqueous solution was also discussed. The results show that the size of calixarene cavity may be the predominate factor affecting recognition of calixarene for silver ions.     

Dynamics of stormflow generation—A hillslope‐scale field study in east‐central Pennsylvania,USA

A 40 m × 20 m mowed, grass hillslope adjacent to a headwater stream within a 26‐ha watershed in east‐central Pennsylvania, USA, was instrumented to identify and map the extent and dynamics of surface saturation (areas with the water table at the surface) and surface runoff source areas. Rainfall, stream flow and surface runoff from the hillslope were recorded at 5‐min intervals from 11 August to 22 November 1998, and 13 April to 12 November 1999. The dynamics of the water table (0 to 45 cm depth from the soil surface) and the occurrence of surface runoff source areas across the hillslope were recorded using specially designed subsurface saturation and surface runoff sensors, respectively. Detailed data analyses for two rainfall events that occurred in August (57·7 mm in 150 min) and September (83·6 mm in 1265 min) 1999, illustrated the spatial and temporal dynamics of surface saturation and surface runoff source areas. Temporal data analyses showed the necessity to measure the hillslope dynamics at time intervals comparable to that of rainfall measurements. Both infiltration excess surface runoff (runoff caused when rainfall intensity exceeds soil infiltration capacity) and saturation excess surface runoff (runoff caused when soil moisture storage capacity is exceeded) source areas were recorded during these rainfall events. The August rainfall event was primarily an infiltration excess surface runoff event, whereas the September rainfall event produced both infiltration excess and saturation excess surface runoff. Occurrence and disappearance of infiltration excess surface runoff source areas during the rainfall events appeared scattered across the hillslope. Analysis of surface saturation and surface runoff data showed that not all surface saturation areas produced surface runoff that reached the stream. Emergence of subsurface flow to the surface during the post‐rainfall periods appeared to be a major flow process dominating the hillslope after the August rainfall event. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Xanthate‐Functionalized Cellulose for the Detection of Micromolar Copper(II) and Nickel(II) Ions

A one‐pot synthesis and application of cellulose‐based sensors to efficiently detect various toxic metal ions in aqueous solutions in micromolar quantities is reported. Cellulose microfibers have been functionalized with carbon disulfide in alkaline solution to form cellulose xanthate. The material detects several toxic metal ions such as copper, nickel, or cobalt ions through color change detectable by the naked eye. The optical sensor can be used as an ideal flash test for assessing the quality of drinking water.     

An Introductory Overview of Earthquake Early Warning

Earthquake early warning (EEW) is discriminated from earthquake prediction by using initial seismic waves to predict the severity of ground motion and issue the warning information to potential affected area. The warning information is useful to mitigate the disaster and decrease the losses of life and economy. We reviewed the development history of EEW worldwide and summarized the methodologies using in different systems. Some new sensors came and are coming into EEW giving more developing potential to future implementation. The success of earthquake disaster mitigation relies on the cooperation of the whole society.     

Algorithms for time synchronization of wireless structural monitoring sensors

Dense networks of wireless structural health monitoring systems can effectively remove the disadvantages associated with current wire‐based sparse sensing systems. However, recorded data sets may have relative time‐delays due to interference in radio transmission or inherent internal sensor clock errors. For structural system identification and damage detection purposes, sensor data require that they are time synchronized. The need for time synchronization of sensor data is illustrated through a series of tests on asynchronous data sets. Results from the identification of structural modal parameters show that frequencies and damping ratios are not influenced by the asynchronous data; however, the error in identifying structural mode shapes can be significant. The results from these tests are summarized in Appendix A. The objective of this paper is to present algorithms for measurement data synchronization. Two algorithms are proposed for this purpose. The first algorithm is applicable when the input signal to a structure can be measured. The time‐delay between an output measurement and the input is identified based on an ARX (auto‐regressive model with exogenous input) model for the input–output pair recordings. The second algorithm can be used for a structure subject to ambient excitation, where the excitation cannot be measured. An ARMAV (auto‐regressive moving average vector) model is constructed from two output signals and the time‐delay between them is evaluated. The proposed algorithms are verified with simulation data and recorded seismic response data from multi‐story buildings. The influence of noise on the time‐delay estimates is also assessed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.